Steering wheel



Oct. 21 1924. 1,512,072

J. G. WILLIAMSON STEERING WHEEL Filed Aug. 1, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ig ir 04 W WM Oct. 21 1924. 1,512,072

J. G. WILLIAMSON STEERING WHEEL Filed Aug. 1, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwvcnior I a L l3. Williamson GU01 nuf Oct. 21 1924.

J. G. WILLIAMSON STEERING WHEEL 1 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug.

gwuenioz .123 E: .Wiuiamson Patented a. 21, 1924.

U ITED STATES JAY G. WILLIAMBON, 0F EASTMAN, GEORGIA.

STEERING WHEEL.

Application filed August 1, 1822. Seriallo. 571048.

To aE whom it may concern:

Bev it known that I, JAY G. WILLIAMSON, a \citizen of the United States, residing Eastman, in the county of Dodge and .State of Georgia, have invented certain new 1 ,and useful Improvements in Steering Wheels, of which the following is a specifiion.

X This invention relates'to steering and controlling devices for motor vehicles and the primary objects of the invention are to provide in a novel steering wheel first, means whereby the entrance and exit of the operator to and from the operators seat will be facilitated; second, means whereby the spark and gas control mechanisms of the motor'can be readily operated; and

third, means whereby the steering mechaland nism can be locked v unauthorized persons.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a novel steering 'wheel "embodying novel controllin mechanism for the spark and throttle oft e motor, whereby the said spark and'throttle-mechanism can be conveniently manipulated by the hands of. the o ator without the necessity of removing t e hands firom the steerin feet from the brake and clutc pedals, thereby, rmitting the successful simultaneous manipulation of the spark and throttle mechanism, the steering gear of the vehicle and the brake and clutch pedals.

A further object of the invention is the revision of a novel Bteerin wheel having i s rotatably carrier? by the rim of the w eel and novel means for connecting the rotatable grips -with the spark and throttle mechanism of the motor.

A further object of the invention is to rovide a novel means for normally holding be hand grips against accidental rotation, that movement of the hand ips during the turning of the steering wfi eel will be normally revented.

-.A furt er object of the invention is to provide a novel operating means disposed within the casin of the steeringpost oper- Pram ativelyconnecte with the spark and throttle mechanisms of the motor, the said oper ating means bein -o0nnected in a novel .manner with the and igs, whereby the slightesbn ovementof t e and grips will im art'einovement to said operating means.-

inst movement by wheel or the the steering wheel formormally housing the means for preventing the rotation of the steering wheel by unauthorized persons, when so desired.

A further object of the invention 'is to provide a novel lock carried by the hub of the steering wheel for engagement with a stationary portion of the steering post, said locking means being adapted to engage the stationary portion of the. post irrespective of the position of the steerin wheel, said locking means includin nove mechanism to withdrawing and orcing the locking b0 into place. v

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel steering wheel embodying a inainsection and a hinged section connected with the main section, the hinged section being so arranged that the same can be swung downward at ri ht angles to the' acilitate the en'- that will be simple and easy to manufacture,

and one which'can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is atop plan view of the improved steering wheel showing parts thereof in section and the dome or cover for the hub of the wheel removed therefrom. i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the improved steering mechanism showing only the hub portion of the steering wheel.

,- g'e sa w n WP P1 Pf v the improved steering wheel showing the dome or cover in position. I

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical section taken on the line 4 {1 of Figure 1, showing the hub of the steering wheel in side elevaktion.

'Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary orizontal section through the hub of the steering wheel, showing the novel lock carried thereby in position for locking both the steering wheel against movement and the cover against removal.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section through one of the spokes of the. steering wheel showing the novel means for connecting the hinged section of the wheel to the main section of the wheel. 5 Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference "characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views the. letter A generally indicates the improved steering wheel; B the steering post; C the novel means for controlling the spark and throttle mechanisms of the motor; D the novel means for locking the steering wheel against steering move- .ment: by unauthorized persons and for holding the cover or dome-against removal, and E. the novel means for permitting'the swing ing of a-portion of the wheel downward to facilitate the entrance to or the exit from the operators seat of the vehicle.

The improved steering wheel A is of a substantial octagon-configuration and can be formed of wood and metal or wholly of 'metal. As shown the same includes the rim 10 which is preferably formed of wood, the

I metallic hub 11' and the connecting hollow metallic tubular spokes 12, 13,14,15, 16 and 17. As shown the spokes 12, 13, 15 and 16 extend from the hub 11 to certain apex poi"- tions of the rim While the arms 14 and 17 extend to the rim to points intermediate the apex portions thereof. "These spokes 14 and 17 are disposed diametrically opposite each other.

The hub 11 is of a novel configuration in order to form a suitable housing for the various operating mechanisms of the improved steering and controlhng device and for the lock D for holding the steering wheelagainst turning movement.

cludes a flat disc shaped base or bed late 18 and an upstanding annular wall 19 rom I which the spokes radially extend. This side wall 19 is adapted to support the removable dome or cover 20 which prevents unauthor-- .ized persons from tampering with the mechanism of the steering and controlling device.

The axial center of the dome 20 is provided with a clock 21 having "illuminous dial so that the operator of the" machine can'r'eadily see the time of the day withoutthe necessity of withdrawing hiswatch from his pocket or looking on the instrument board of the vehicle. 3 r

This hub 11 in- This dome is provided with suitable bayonet slots21' at spaced ints which are adapted to receive radia y extending ins 22 carried by the side wall 19. This e cotively holds the dome in position and the lock D which will be'hereinafter more fully described prevents the removal of the dome by unauthorized persons.

The spokes 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 have their innerends preferably integrally connected with the hub 11 and can be cast there with if desired. The outer ends of the spokes are connected by means of suitable ends 23 to the rim. A depending axial enlargement 24 is formed on the hub 11 and receives the hollow shaft 25 which is oper- I atively connected in any preferred manner to the steering mechanism. As shown the enlargement 2A is keyed as at 26 to the shaft 25 and the upper end of the shaft is threaded for the reception of a suitable nut 27. This shaft 25 is of course rotatably mounted within the usual stationary .post 28, which can be secured in any preferred manner as at 29 to a stationary ortion 30 oft-lie motor vehicle. Dispose and throttlemechanism'of the motor includes a hand grip 3.5 for the spark and a hand grip 36 for the throttle. grips 35 and 36 are interposed in the rim 10 of the steering wheel A and are slidably mounted on and non-rotatably connected to shafts 37 and 38; These shafts 37 and 38 are mounted in suitable bearings 39 carried by the terminals of the spokes 12, 13, 15 and 16 and the forward terminals of these shafts 37 and 38 have keyed or otherwise secured thereto beveled pinions 40 which in tum mesh with beveled pinions 41 keyed or otherwise secured to the inwardly extending shafts 42 and 43 which are disposed within the spokes 13 and 15. These shafts 42 and 43 are mounted within suitable bearings 44 carried by the hub and disposed adjacent to thementioned. spokes. The inner termi- These hand i within the rotatable shaft 25 is a stationary shaft or sleeve 31 which nals of the shafts 42 and 43 are extended within the ub11 of the wheel A and are connectedby suitable knuckle joints 45 with stub shafts 46 and 47 which are mounted within suitable bearings 48' disposed within the hub. These shafts. 46' and 47 have secured thereto in iany preferred manner inions 48 and 42 which mesh with rack are 50earried byqboncentrieally disposed ing shafts 52 and 51. These rack bars are mounted in independent wells 50 formed in the enlargement 24 of the hub. These shafts 51 and 52 are disposed within the stationary shaft or sleeve 31 and it can be seen that upon rotation of the hand grips 35 and 36 that the sliding shafts 52 and 51 will be raised or lowered according to the diiez-tion of movement of the said hand grips. The lower terminals of the sliding shafts 51 and 52 have rotatably mounted thereon ollars 53 and 54 which are confined in position against displacement from. said shafts by means of holding rings which are rigidly secured to said shafts 51 and 52. Each of the collars 53 and 54 are connected through the medium of links 56 to cranks and levers s7 and 58 which are in turrr connected with the ordinary operating rods 59 and 60 of the throttle and spark control mechanisms for the motor. The cranks and levers 57 and 58 are pivotally secured intermediate their ends by suitable supporting arm 61 which is rigidly secured'to gear case 33.

The outer surface of the hand grips 35 and. 36 can be suitablv serrated in order that a firm grip can e obtained thereon by the operator of the vehicle and in order to hold the hand grips against accidental rotation the forward terminals thereof are provided with suitable teeth 62 which are adapted to mesh with teeth 63 formed on the means for connecting the spokes l3 and 15 with. the rim. The hand ips 85 and a 36 are normally urged forwarc to maintain the teeth 62 in engagement with the teeth 63. by means of suitable expansion springs 64 which are coiled about the shafts 37 and 38 and engage respectively against the hand grips and spokes l2 and 16; It can be seen that when it is desired to operate the spark and gas mechanism the hand grips 35 and 36 are turned and the intcrmeshing teeth 62 and 63 will make the feeding more accu rate. as the operator will feel the movement of the teeth slipping past each other in turnin the hand grips.

t is preferred to provide cover plates 65 at the terminals of the spokes 12, 13. 15 and if so that access can be readily had to the interior of the rim and spokes at the terminals of' the hand grips 35 and 36 so as to facilitate the placing of the hand grips into Position and oiling the gears 40 and 41.

ihe cover plate 65 located at the forward Fifi nd of the hand grip 35 can carry the signal horn huttom 66 and thus it can be seen that the horn an be manipulated directly from the rim of the steering wheel without the necessity of removing the hand from the steering wheel. The wire 67 for the button is extended through the hollow spoke 13 and through the inner shaft 52.

The locking means D utilized for holding the dome 20 against removal by unauthorized persons. and for preventing turning movement of the steering wheel A by unauthorized persons when the automobile is parked. includes a casing 70 disposed within the hub 11 and secured to the plate 18 thereof by suitable brackets or the like 71. This casing 70 non-rotatably. but slidably supports the barrel 72 of a cylinder lock 73 which can .be of any preferred character. such as a Yale lock. The barrel 72 has rotatably mounted therein in the usual. manner the plug 7% which carries the tumblers 75 that are normally engaged by spring pressed drivers 76 carried by the barrel. It is apparent that when the correct key is inserted in the key way in the plug 74 that rotary movement of the plug 74 in relotion to the barrel 72 will be permitted. The inner end of the plug 74 has secured thereto in any'preferred manner a rod 77 which is provided with relatively coarse or steep pitched threads 78 which engage similar internal threads 79 formed within the sliding chamber 80 that is also mounted within the casing 70. This sliding chamber 80 supports a sliding bolt 81 which carries the toothed segment head 82, that is adapted to normally engage the gear wheel 34. heretofore mentioned. that is he ad or otherwise secured to the non-rotatab e shaft 31. Outward movement of the bolt 81 with in the casing is limited by the stop flange formed thereon. An expansion spring 84 is housed within the chamber 80 and en-. gages the inner end of the bolt 81 and the inner end of the rod 77 and normally tends to urge the head 82 into engagement with the gear wheel 34. A second expansion spring 85 is provided and this spring is disposed within the housing 70 and engages respectively the inner end of the housing 70 and suitable pins 86 carried by the inner end of the barrel 72 of the cylinder lock 73. The forward end of the chamber 80 is also provided with a stop flange 88. The forward and of the barrel 72 normally projects through the wall 19 of the hub 11 and through the dome 20, suitable openings 89 and 90 being formed in the wall and'dome. therefor.

In use of said lock. when it is desired to unlock the steering wheel to permit move-' ment thereof. the ke is inserted into the key way of the plug 4 of the cylinder lock and a complete revolution is given to the key in a clockwise direction which will draw the chamber 80 inwardly and move the head 82 from out of engagement with the gear wheel 34. And now movement of the steering wheel is permitted. If it is desired to remove the dome 20 for any reason, a second revolution is given the plug in the same direction and in view of the fact that the stop flange 88 will he in engagement with the forward end of the casing further mnvemenf n? he chamber 3".) will be prevenfe-i end time l easing" 0 barrel 71?, will he drawn ewvi the epenlng into the ment of the (lame.

when ii de 'red in luck the dome and, the steering wl'zeel against movement iifilifb time is in! he plug of {he eylinez" lack in :nerse wreei irm which will first push the are 52 inte opening l then 53152 E le me? 8!) bawsrll 'he wheel inwen'v 3 the easing 7G. The {no 1- tlens a re: 11 (3s) ereur m the m5 H lf the teeth n? the gear Wheel 34 enrl the teeth of the eegneent hewl do not mesh 1?, ill be seen that H19 chamber 80 will still be per tinned expensinn spring: $5.

seetien the nhee h 4 larger sections 193 ihereof. The smzrzler when 302 is tliapc (l at the rear penm-r. ef 1L steering wheel 3111i mnnectecl vi the pain: of cennnetinn with the snakes 12 and 16 0f the rimv and the spoke E7 is rlispnsell 11%; an infermedirefiepnr tioe. (if the smaller eectlon 102. In order to permit of swinging nwvemenf: the secfim': 2n reiatien tn the larger section 1'03 the spnke 17 consists of an. inner semion 10% which is emmected or rigidly eeeured to the hub 11 in an preferred manner and an outer section 3.051% which is connected. with rhe rim of the steering wheel or portion 102 thereef by means of the cuffs 23.

The Bhtl jeinrs and 101 are e0nstrnefed irlentieally the same with the exeeption thni She eentral joint 100 is farmed relntii heavier than the end joints 1.01.

Each m"- ihese jmints include a sliding rod 106 which .zueunted in suitable guides 107. The mil-er end of each rod 106 (ferries a head I108 wlnch disposed between suitable ears 109 secured to the smaller section 102. Coil springs 110 of the (-xpaneion kype are coiled about the rods 1% and hear respeefively agale'sc the guides 10? nml suitable steps such as nuts 111 carried by the inner ends of the reds, The heads 108 are eonneeted t0 the ears 109 by suitable pivot pins 112. The terminals of the small section 102 and the terminal of the section 105 of the Spoke '17 are fitted within the terminals of the larger section 103 of the steering Wheel and in the serifien 104 of the spoke 1'9.

Now when it is desired to swing the sections 02 of the steering wheel A downward emme the same is purified re ,wnrdiy so ae f0 bring; the ene s of he sir 321g Wheel Seltilen ii /2. and spoke sv tl'en"? *5 from rent 0? engagemen: with Ll'n? EM and the larger section '33 n. the Herring Wheel which wlll ihen eeciinn 09) m brswung Emma- 12 will enna; free exif in be had. mm *rs When n is (issued 211 l gr ale FUHQP 10:2 hack in its normal as ,mwn j raised mzil t swollen Elli! aunt intn nlignmem steering wheel.

a some he ermma of the r l the wake semwn 3i" in rm the e; pin. in, v in rn' mm m remind pm mi Ada;

ll? 3 the slightly J hands, a by its: herd H5 guitahle v 'Hfll. lfil in: same is "1E pesirior :he pin A the enter snrfnee re ard 3: min-mall urged In-9;; npenlng m me'kei s1? penslen 1L r the pin 114 anzl ha; it; engaging mpeetively the inner epnke 3mm i0? and against a suitable Washer 0r pin czuried by the. pin 114-. When this pin 111% is in enga ement with the Wa l (a? the epenmg 113 sli ing mnvemeni: 01f *ne smaller steering Wheel section 30?, m

Frnm the feregelng as mgr seen that an impre ml s a Wheel hue been provided which #:mlmdi "5 means fer preven zing turning of ihe steering Wheel by unauthorized pet-sens; means; for centre!- ling the spar; end alirnitle 0'5. the molur from the rim of the wheehnml means for permitilng :1 portinn of this "wheel to he swung downwardly clear of operator to facilitate rhe entrance of the opem'nr to and the exit of the eperator, Pram the operatorsseat.

Changes in details may be made Without departing from the nt or Scope 0f the invention; but,

I claim:

1. In a steering and ucs'ntrolling me-ch anism for meter vehicles, a steering post, a steering wheel rotatably earriecl by the post,

' anism for motor vehicles includin a steering shaft rotatably mounted in the post and connected with the wheel, concentrically disposed spark and throttle controlling sleeves dis osed within the steering shaft, and rotatab e hand grips interposed in the rim of the steering wheel and operatively connected to said spark and throttle controlling sleeves.

2. In a steering and controlling means for motor vehicles a steering post, a rotatable steering hollow shaft rotatably mounted within said post, and a steering wheel secured to the shaft including a hollow hub, a rim and hollow connecting spokes for the rim and hub, rotatable hand grips interposed in the rim, sliding spark and throttle operating sleeves mounted within the hollow steering shaft, and means extending throu h the hollow spokes and hub for operative y connectin the hand grips with the sliding spark an throttle operating sleeves.

3. In a steering and controlling mecha steering post, a hollow tubular steering shaft rotatably mounted within said post, concentrically disposed hollow sliding spark and throttle controlling sleeves mounted within said hollow steering shaft, a steering wheel rotatably carried by the post, and rigidly connected with the steering shaft and includin a rim, a hollow hub, and radially extending tubular spokes, rotatable hand grips interposed in the rim between certain of the spokes, stub shafts rotatably mounted within the hollow hub, rotatable shafts carried by certain of the spokes and operatively connected with the hand grips and with the stub shafts, a rack bar carried by each of the sliding sleeves and pinions keyed to said stub shafts for engaging said rods.

4. In a steering and controlling mechanism for motor vehicles, a hollow steering post, a hollow tubular steering shaft rotatabl mounted within said post, a steering wlieel rotatably carried by the post and rigidly secured to the hollow steering shaft,

ward the clutch teeth carried by sai a pair of concentrically disposed tubular sliding spark and throttle controlling sleeves mounted within said shaft, said steering wheel including a hollow hub and a rim, and tubular spokes connecting the rim and hub together, collars rotata-bly mounted upon the lower terminals of said sleeves for sliding movement therewith, levers rockabl secured to the post, links connecting the sli ing collars with said levers, a pair of stub shafts rotatably mounted in the hub for independent movement, shafts rotatably mounted in certain of the tubular spokes, knuckle joints connecting said last mentioned shafts with the outer ends of the stub shafts, rotatable hand gri s interposed in the rim of the wheel and t isposed adjacent to the spokes carrying said shafts, beveled pinions connecting the hand grips with the outer ends of the shafts disposed in said spokes, vertically disposed rack bars secured to each of the sliding, sleeves and pinions secured to the stub shafts meshing with said rack bars.

5. In a steering and controlling device for motor vehicles, a rotatable steering wheel including a rim. a hollow hub, and hollow spokes connecting the hub with the rim, rotatable shafts interposed in the rim at diametrically opposite points, rotatable shafts disposed in certain of the spokes, beveled pinions operatively connecting the shafts together, means connecting the shafts in the spokes with the spark and throttle control mechanisms of the motor, hand grips slidably mounted upon the shafts inter sed in the rim for movement therewith, c utch teeth formed on the rim, clutch teeth formed on the upper ends of the hand grips for engaging the first mentioned clutch teeth for preventing accidental rotary movement of t e hand gri s, and expansion sprin coiled about sai shafts interposed tn t e rim for normally urging the hand ips to- JAY G. YVILLIAMSON'. 

